The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1887-09-29

do with thy mlght?' Nav, there's my
journeyman, Jock Sawtree, laying the
papers carefully in pile on the table,
Jock says to me this mornin, Ben,
says he, why do you plane off the top
planks of the perch as smooth as the
bottom? It's a wasting of time says
he. 'Nobody'd know if you sighted
them Jock, says [, I'd know"
David looked at the old man a min
ute, and then gathered up the designs
and threw them in the fire. HYou're
better artist than |, he said.
81 know naething aboot art, but l
know what's honest said Ben.
David spent the rest of the day on a
design. 1t was the best he could do.
In the evening he showed it to his
mother and Jennie.
"My idea is the paper of chamber,
in which the occupant, waking from
sleep, shall have glimpse Of the field
outside"
The ground of the design was the
pale blue of the air, against which
waved long fine grasses and white
wild daises, with here and there a joy
Gus song sparrow in fight or poised to
sing.
at is the field where you used to
play when you were boy, DavidP'
cried his mother.
II know it, mother"
David had put so much feeling and
his tenderest recollection into the
sketch that he felt it must succeed.
But the next day he received curt
note from The manufacturer, stating
that he could not feel justified IN en-
ploying him. This design being the
first, was of course, his own"
$50 my best work is wasted" said
David
Several weeks later he saw in the
window of the manufacturer in High
Street paper printed in his design. 1t
sold rapidly. But the truth was the
manufacturer chose to employ cheaper
and inferior workmen.
The times began to revive soon aft.
er that. Young Bruce lad commits
sion to paint the portrait of the mayor
and so became we'll known. Present
ly his landscapes we're sold. Slowly
and surely he went on his way to for
tune, carrying his dear old mother
and Jennie with him. and after lit
tie wife and baby were added to the
happy household.
There were one or two little Incl
dents in his after-life which | wish tC
recall.
Many years after he had gained
fame and prosperity he visited a broth
er artist of yet higher standing than
his own, who lived in bleak district
of New England. His host had but
one child boy of about eleven, who
was carried into the parlor by two
men seated in an easy chair. He was
worn to a shadow but his face was full
of sensitive feeling.
"My boy has been an invalid from
his cradle" his father said "Fol
months in the year heis not able tc
leave his bed.
Bruce during his stay became much
attached to the little fellow, One day
his father said to him:
"This mouth OF August is Charlie'
one glimpse oJ freedom. During tn,
fall and winter he never leaves hi
room, and is not able to read, tt
amuse himself with toys, or even t.
listen to music. BY the way, | founC
a rare pleasure for him last winter
most UNEXPECTEDLY, in an old-fashionet
wallpaper, of a singular design o
leaves, wild flowers, and birds flying
here and the summer light. He use(
to lie and look at it with real delight
TT just takes me right out of doors
papa, he said; and he would fanc,
stories about the birds and tell then
, to his mother by the hour, There i
really remarkable artistic merit il
the paper. / should like you to lool
at it."
IL should be glad to see it" said MI
Bruce, who was troubled just then b.
some far-of memories.
J When he carried little Charlie int
: the chamber after awhile, and hear
him explain his "winter garden" hi
pale face reddening with pleasure tn
tears came to Bruce's eyes.
5 Five years later, in looking over
Western newspaper, Bruce found thi
paragraph:
r "By the confession Of Jim BudC
s last week, just before meeting his fat
on the gallows, it was proved, as ou
A readers will remember, that Osca
4 Arnold was innocent OF the crime
r forgery, for which he has sentence
/ five years ago. Arnold was an oil
man, farmer, whose life had alway
been inoffensive before his trial. H
pardon was sent at once to the prisol
m